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Post by robin on Jun 13, 2011 13:35:21 GMT -8
I've been pondering eternity, and wondering if others here struggle with the concept, and belief that immortality comes with any disadvantages. My thinking is that life is made more exciting and people tend to be more driven to build and accomplish great things during our time on earth because we never know when our time is up. With guaranteed eternal immortality in heaven will we lose something of value?
I've also struggled with the issue of no marriage in heaven. I'm certain that god has it all worked out, but my greatest joy in life is having a family to call my own. Also (not to be crude) I enjoy sex, and as I understand the bible there will be no sex in heaven. Does this bother anyone else?
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Lady J
Intermediate Member
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage. ~Lao Tzu
Posts: 41
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Post by Lady J on Jun 13, 2011 19:48:08 GMT -8
I don't have any scriptural backing for this--it's just my own idea-- but I think we are still going to have to learn things in eternity just as we learn things here, only without all the hindrances of lack of time, money, resources etc.... and without shame, humiliation or discouragement when we mess up and have to keep trying to figure it out. I want to learn and do WAY more than I'll ever be able to this side of eternity; but I'll be able to do it all then and even more. I think things that aren't interesting to me now, or things I'm afraid to try (because I might get hurt or die), or things that are impossible (like traveling to other parts of the universe) will all be available and desirable.
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Post by Josh on Jun 14, 2011 16:14:25 GMT -8
I agree with your thoughts, Jenessa. I think it makes logical sense: being finite creatures we will always be far away from omniscience. And judging by the size of creation, we'll have plenty of exploring to do.
Related more specifically to Robin's comments, I think you should define "disadvantages". I'm not convinced that eternity will be completely "disadvantage" free.
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Michael
Intermediate Member
Posts: 68
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Post by Michael on Jun 16, 2011 20:08:34 GMT -8
Robin, your comment about sex makes me think of something I heard Steve Gregg say once. He likened sex on earth to a child who liked nothing more than to ride his tricycle. He could barely part with it, because he loved it so much. But as an adult, do you have any interest in riding a trike? It would look pretty silly if you tried. The point is, our interests and what we find pleasurable in heaven will probably be far more pleasurable and fulfilling than anything we experience here, just like a child's interests seem, well, childish to an adult. I think our experiences in heaven will make sex here as insignificant as riding a trike. ;D
Aside from that, I feel like I experience so many "disadvantages" here on earth at times that I look forward to "my time being up." Not in a suicidal sort of way, but with great hope and expectation for what is to come.
"... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."
Romans 8:23-25 (NKJV)
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Post by Josh on Jun 17, 2011 16:19:43 GMT -8
Hugh Ross once had a lecture called, "Better than Sex" about the multi-dimensional possibilities of heaven. Maybe I should find it for you, Robin
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Post by freebirdro on Jun 17, 2011 17:51:15 GMT -8
The idea of a never-ending eternity was something that my wife struggled with in the past. I understand that.
I think the issue may be with the way we experince limited pleasure here on earth and not really having a reference of how heaven feels.
I think that God is a God of pleasure, and far from boring. Our pleasures here on earth are mostly experinced with our flesh and soul.
The only thing that comes close to 0000.1% of what we will feel in heaven is a complete ecstatic spiritual experince with God here on earth.
My wife tells me that she no longer struggles with the idea of eternity but she is yearning for the time to multiply that ecstacy.
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